Cold weather

[Adrienne-m]

Hey all! Wondering if I need to work about the negative nighttime temps were supposed to have this week? All my birds are cold hardy breeds except my rooster (who’s been pecked bald a bit but is slowly regrowing feathers). They have a heater panel in the coop. I’ve been hesitant to heat the whole coop

 

[rosemarythyme]

Your birds should be fine down to -20F or so as long as you have adequate ventilation without drafts, especially since they have the option of using the heat if they want it.

 

[MIgardengal]

I was thinking the same thing today, in our location we are forecasted -10 temps.

I just had the hubby put a thermometer in the coop this AM up by the roost. So hopefully I will get a good reading of the coop temp.

We don't have a heater,though we have it well insulated. We do have a light in the coop so I'm contemplating leaving it on all night. If the temp gets too low.

 

[rosemarythyme]

We don't have a heater,though we have it well insulated. We do have a light in the coop so I'm contemplating leaving it on all night. If the temp gets too low.

Just a regular bulb? I wouldn't. It probably won't make much temperature difference but sometimes flocks start getting crazy - arguing and fighting - if they have a light on all the time. It also makes them want to eat and drink, in case you don't have feed and water in the coop at night.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I was thinking the same thing today, in our location we are forecasted -10 temps.

I just had the hubby put a thermometer in the coop this AM up by the roost. So hopefully I will get a good reading of the coop temp.

We don't have a heater,though we have it well insulated. We do have a light in the coop so I'm contemplating leaving it on all night. If the temp gets too low.

A big word of caution about leaving a light on in the coop all night if I may.
It will keep them awake. Tired birds are cranky birds and that light can lead to bloody fights.

What is your ventilation like?
A well ventilated coop is far more beneficial to the birds than a buttoned up insulated coop.
Moist air needs to rise and exit the coop to help prevent frostbite.

We have had many nights at negative 10 or colder. With adequate (ample) ventilation no frostbite here.

I recommend getting a humidity gauge to put inside the coop and one to put outside the coop. With adequate ventilation the coop should be less than 5% higher humidity than outside the coop. If it is more than 5% higher in the coop do a clean up of all droppings and check again in an hour. Still humid in there? Cut more ventilation holes.

 

[MIgardengal]

@21hens-incharge I have quite a bit of ventilation, I have a horizontal window facing the semi/tarped run. Its on the other side of the coop from the roosting bar and is on a chain and can be opened as wide or narrow as I want.

They have been fine all winter in 20s temps, but I was concerned because the last few days were in the 40s. Tshirt weather for us! And within a day the polar vortex has come and we are going to be around -10 all of next week.

 

[21hens-incharge]

@21hens-incharge I have quite a bit of ventilation, I have a horizontal window facing the semi/tarped run. Its on the other side of the coop from the roosting bar and is on a chain and can be opened as wide or narrow as I want.

They have been fine all winter in 20s temps, but I was concerned because the last few days were in the 40s. Tshirt weather for us! And within a day the polar vortex has come and we are going to be around -10 all of next week.

Any pics?

Keep them dry and keep that vent open and they should do fine.
If you keep water in the coop removing it at night is a good idea. It will stop it from adding unnecessary moisture. The sleeping birds don't get up to get a drink so it certainly won't hurt them to have it removed at night....or better yet kept in the run.

We are headed to a cold spell here too. I am not a fan of those cold spells at all.

 

[MIgardengal]

@21hens-incharge Good idea on removing the water dish at night, will probably do that a bed time.

I just ran out to snap some pics I love winter but I hate below zero temps. And it’s DANG cold out tonight! I also have slats in the ceiling which leads to a 1 inch channel of ventilation in the ceiling that goes out the peak of the gable.

 

[21hens-incharge]

@21hens-incharge Good idea on removing the water dish at night, will probably do that a bed time.

I just ran out to snap some pics I love winter but I hate below zero temps. And it’s DANG cold out tonight! I also have slats in the ceiling which leads to a 1 inch channel of ventilation in the ceiling that goes out the peak of the gable.

That ridge vent is good. Just keep snow from building up on it if you can.

Be sure to keep that window open too. I know how tempting it can be to close it.

That is not a nice temperature for us humans at all. The birds look good in their feather coats!

 

[aart]

Hey all! Wondering if I need to work about the negative nighttime temps were supposed to have this week? All my birds are cold hardy breeds except my rooster (who’s been pecked bald a bit but is slowly regrowing feathers). They have a heater panel in the coop. I’ve been hesitant to heat the whole coop

Neg C or F?
Pics of your coop, inside and out, would help here.
There's some good tips already mentioned on the posts by @MIgardengal here.
But knowing your specifics @Adrienne-m would help us help you too.

Also....
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!